Kukla's Korner Hockey

...Let’s get serious here, there ain’t no Stanley Cup coming to Toronto this season. Still, it’s telling coming from Versteeg’s perspective that winning a Stanley Cup in Chicago last season, and reviving a great Original Six city in the process, would not compare to what it would mean in this city.

In no way is that a disrespect to Chicago, its great fans, the anthem experience and arguably the loudest rink in the NHL. But it’s a reminder of what the game means here north of the border, and in a city that has had little to cheer about when it comes to the team that matters so darn much to them.

“It’s nuts,” Versteeg said. “I haven’t even been in the city for three weeks yet and people already recognize you and know who you are. It’s pretty crazy. It shows how much they want to win. They come up to you and talk to you about it. It’s almost like every person in Canada is a coach, they know the game so well.

“But it’s true—this is our game, it’s a Canadian game, and they want winners in Canadian cities.”